Concetta "Connie" Wagner (b. July 7, 1948) is a former Democratic member of the New Jersey General Assembly, representing District 38 from 2007 to October 1, 2013. Wagner resigned from the Assembly on October 1, 2013, to spend more time with her family.[1]

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Wagner served on the Bergen County Board of Freeholders during 2007, and on the Borough of Paramus Council from 2002-2007.[2]

Biography

Wagner earned her B.A. in Social Studies Sducation from Trenton State College and her M.A. in Student Personnel Services from Montclair State University. Her professional experience includes working as a guidance counselor at Paramus High School from 1997 to 2007 and at Bogota High School from 1970 to 1997.[2]

Pensions

Double dipping is a term used to describe the practice of allowing government employees to "retire," start collecting a pension and then return to work for the state while continuing to receive pension benefits. It is currently permitted in New Jersey. Banning or limiting double dipping is among the proposals in New Jersey to reduce the state pension obligation. Two companion bills, S601 and A860, were introduced in the 2012-2013 legislative session. As of March 2015 neither has reached the floor for a vote. In July 2013 New Jersey Watchdog published an article focusing on double dipping by New Jersey state legislators. The report identified 18 state lawmakers who receive retirement checks totaling $782,000 a year in addition to their legislative salaries. The roster includes leaders of each party in both the Senate and Assembly.[4]
Wagner was included on the list of legislators currently receiving pension benefits and a legislative salary. According to the 2013 report, Wagner receives a $46,368 pension per year. The employer at retirement was Paramus Board of Education.[4]

Speculation

Asbury Park Press

District 38 was one of only three districts that the Asbury Park Press identified as competitive in 2011. The other two were Districts 2 and 14. Districts 2 and 38 may lean more Republican after 2011 redistricting, and District 14 could still favor Democrats. As evidence, they cited a drop in registered Democrats in Districts 2 and 38, and only a small decrease in registered Democrats in District 14. History has shown, argued APP, that districts where Democrats hold less than a 10,000 registered voter advantage typically favor the GOP. The Democratic registration advantage in District 38 is roughly 12,000, (down from 22,000).[7]

NJ Spotlight

NJ Spotlight identified District 38 as one of the most competitive districts in the state, with potential for the GOP to pickup a seat in the Assembly.[8]

New Jersey Assembly General Election, Thirty-Eighth Legislative District (2009)

Candidates

Votes

Concetta Wagner (D)

28,618

Joan M. Voss (D)

28,078

Judith Fisher (R)

23,132

Nicholas Lonzisero (R)

22,808

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Connie Wagner is available dating back to 2007. Based on available campaign finance records, Connie Wagner raised a total of $632,551 during that time period. This information was last updated on August 28, 2013.[12]